Here's a scary thought: State College residents might have to go a lot farther than Centre Community Hospital to be treated for an emergency.

The high cost of malpractice insurance premiums might shut down the emergency room at Centre Community Hospital when physicians' insurance coverage expires after Friday.

Between 1999 and 2000, Centre Community Hospital paid about $474,000 in premiums, but this year paid nearly $1.2 million in coverage, said Herb Wilson, risk management and patient safety officer. The hospital simply cannot afford to operate if this cost continues to double every few years.

If Centre Community Hospital's emergency room closes, Altoona would be the closest alternative. In an emergency, quick and efficient care is needed, and a 45-minute drive to Altoona just might not be fast enough. People could die on their way to the hospital.

This situation could only set the medical care system up for more trouble if patients are not cared for in a timely fashion.

The potential closure of the emergency room at Centre Community Hospital shows that the statewide malpractice crisis really is hitting close to home. This is something that could affect all Penn State students, as this is the only way to receive emergency care after University Health Services closes for the day.

The crisis over malpractice premiums is driving doctors out of the state. Hospitals in the state cannot recruit and retain high-quality physicians when premiums have sky-rocketed.

People can contact Pennsylvania's legislators to request a change in medical malpractice law which, in turn, would lower the cost of insurance and keep doctors in the state. This is a problem that needs to be resolved, or State College residents could find themselves a long way from treatment in a time of emergency.